Trolley-catcher.



PATENTED' DEG. 15, i903.

H. R. MARTIN. l Y

TROLLEY CATGHER.

APPLICATION FILED ma. 71-903.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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N0 MODEL.

PATENTED DBG. l5, 1903.

` H. R. MARTIN.

TROLLEY CATCHER.

APPLIOATIQN FILED AUG. 7. 1903;

' 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

NO MODEL.

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after having depressed the trolley.

Patented December 15, 1903.

HORACE R. MARTIN, OF EAST BLOOMFIELI), NEW-YORK.

TRoLLEY-CATCHER.

SPECIFICATION forming' part 0f Letters Patent No. 746,860, datedDecember 15, 1903.

Application led August '7, 1903.

To @ZZ whom t may concern:

Be it known that LHORA'CE R. MARTIN, a citizen of the United States,residing at East Bloomfield, in the cou-nty of Ontario and State of NewYork, have invented new and useful Improvements in Trolley-Catchers, ofwhich the following is a specification.

This invention relates more particularly to that class oftrolley-catchers in which the trolley is pulled downwardlyby a rope intoa position in which it does not strike the overhead supports. Y Y

The object of this invention is to produce a trolley-catcher of thischaracter which is simple and durable in construction, vreliable inoperation, andY which can be easily reset In the accompanying drawings,consisting of two sheets, Figure l'is a vertical section of thetrolley-catcher, showing one embodiment of my invention. Fig. 2 is asimilar section taken at right angles to Fig; l. Figs. 3 and 4 arefragment-ary vertical sections, on an enlarged scale, in lines 3 3 and44, Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a horizontal section in line 5 5, Fig. 3. Fig. 6is a horizontal section in line 6 6, Figi. Figs. 7 and 3 are sectionalelevations showing modified constructions of my' invention.

Similar letters of referencel indicate correspending parts throughoutthe several views.

Referring to Figs. l to 6, A represents the inclosing casing orhousingof the trolleycatcher, which preferably consists of avertically-elongated body a, a top a, and a bottom d2.

B represents the' rope whereby the trolle is pulled downwardly. Thisrope is operated upon within the casing by 'a device which constantlytakes up the slackin the rope during the ordinary rising-and-fallingmovement of the trolley and also by a device which pulls the ropedownwardly, together with the trolley, if the latter moves upward anabnormal distance in jumping the wire.` In the preferred construction ofthe rope-take-up and trolley-depressing devices the .rope passes arounda plurality of multiplying-pulleys, which rise and fall bodily in takingn'p and paying out the slack in the rope. As shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 6,three multiplying wheels or pulleys c c c2 are employed, which arearranged side by side and cooperate with two Serial No. 163,631. lNnmodel.)

separate guiderollers dd', arranged above the same. The trolley-ropepasses through the top of the casing downwardly around one of the outermultiplying-wheels c, thence upwardly and over one of the guide-pulleysd, thence downwardly around the under side of the centralmultiplying-'pulley c', thence upwardly and over the other guide-pulleyCZ', thence' downwardly underneath the other outer pulley c2, and`thence upwardly to a xedsupport d2. As the pulleys rise and fall thelength of rope which is taken in or paid out is correspondinglymultiplied in a wellknown manner.

E represents a vertically-movable plunger or weight, preferably ofcylindrical form,-

which guides the multiplying-pulleys and also adds to the weight ofthe-'saine for maintaining a tension' upon the trolley-rope. Thisplunger is provided at its' lower end with a hanger e, which carriesa'horizontal shaft or spindle e, upon which multiplying-pulleys aremounted. This hanger is preferably bifurc'ated, and the central pulleycf is arranged between the parts thereof, while the outer pulleys c c2are arranged on the outer side of the hanger members.

When the trolleyjumps the wire and moves upwardly beyond its normalposition, a depressing device is set in operation, which acts upon themultiplying-pulleys and moves the same downwardly, together with thetrolleyrope, so that the trolley isy drawn downward below its normalposition, where the same is not liable to interfere with overheadsupports. The preferred mechanism for thus depressing the trolley isconstructed as follows: F represents an upright cylinder arranged withinthe housing and preferably secured at its upper end to the top thereof.Upon the outer side of this cylinder, at the lower end thereof, theguide-pulleys d d and the support d2 Yfor the end of the trolley-ropeare preferably mounted, as shown in Figs. l, 2, and 6. G represents apiston arranged within the cylinder and provided ou its under side witha hollow or tubular rod g, which extends through the lower head of thecylinder. This rod receives the plunger and serves as a guide therefor.Normally the piston is yieldingly held in an elevated position by meansof a spring h, which is arranged in the IOO space between the hollowpiston-rod and cylinder and bears at opposite ends against the bottom ofthe cylinder and the under side of the piston. The upward movement ofthe 5 piston in the cylinder may be limited in various ways--forinstance, by means of a stud 1l, formed on the upper end thereof andengaging with the top of the cylinder. Whenever the trolley jumps thewire, a pressure lo medium is admitted into the cylinder above thepiston, whereby the latter is depressed, together with the plunger andthe multiplying-pulleys, which engage with the trolleyrope, therebydrawing the rope downwardly I5 and depressing the trolley into a safeposition. The plunger is compelled to thus move downwardly with thepiston by coupling these parts for this purpose at this time. Thiscoupling is preferably efected by engaging the zo piston with the upperend of the plunger and the lower end of the tubular rod with ashoulderj, formed at the junction of the lower end of the plunger andits hanger. When the piston is relieved from the pressure medium, thesame is returned to its normal elevated position by the spring, and thenormal operation of the take-up device is restored.

The pressure medium most suitable for depressing the piston iscompressed air, which may be drawn from the same source which suppliesthe air-brakes of the car. The admission of the air into the cylinder iscontrolled by a valve, whereby the cylinder is connected either with thecompressed-air supply for depressing the piston or with the atmospherefor venting the cylinder and permitting the piston to rise. This valve,which is preferably of the three-way type, as shown in Fig. 4, has itscasing K provided with three ports or nipples, which are connected,respectively, by pipes Z Z' Z2 with the com pressedair supply. The upperend of the cylinder and the atmosphere, respectively, and its rotaryplug 7c is provided with a port, whereby the cylinder-pipe may beconnected either with the supply-pipe or with the vent-pipe. As shown infull lines, Fig. 4, the plug is in position for connecting the cylinderwith the atmosphere and cutting the compressed air off from thesame,whereby the piston is permitted to remain in its elevated position.Upon turning the plug of the valve one-quarter in the direction of thearrow, Fig. 4:, until its port occupies the position shown by the dottedline the cylinder will be cut off from the atmosphere and connected withthe compressedair-supply pipe, whereby the piston therein will bedepressed and pull down the trolley by means of the intermediateconnecting mechanism.

The forwardly-turning movement of the valve-plug for connecting thecylinder with the pressure-supply is effected by a trip device, whichcouples the valve-plug Wilh the rope when the same is moved upwardlyquickly when the trolley jumps the Wire and which is preferablyconstructed as follows: M represents a ratchet-wheel secured to the stemk2 of the valve and provided with an internally-toothed ratchet-rim m. Nrepresents an actuating pulley or wheel, which is arrangedconcentrically with reference to the ratchet-wheel and preferablymounted loosely on the valve-spindle adjacent to the outer side of theratchet-wheel. This actuatingpulley is preferably so constructed that ittelescopes over the ratchet-wheel and forms, together with the latter, ahousing or inclosure for the devices, whereby the actuating-pulley andratchet-wheel are coupled and uncoupled. The actuating-pulleyis engagedwith the trolley-rope, so that the movement of the latter is transmittedto the actuating-pulley, this being preferably effected by winding thetrolley-rope once around the actuating-pulley, as shown in the drawings.

'n represents a pawl whereby the ratchetwheel and actuating-pulley arecoupled and uncoupled and which is pivotally supported between thesewheels by means of a pin o, arranged on the actuating-pulley parallelwith the axis thereof. This pawl is normally held with its nose or freeend out of the path of the internal teeth on the ratchet-wheel by meansof a spring o', connecting the pawl with the actuating-pulley. The pawlremains in this position while the actuating-wheel is oscillated with amoderate speed by the trolleyrope as the same moves up and down infollowing the ordinary variations in the height of the trolley-wire,together with the trolley. If the trolley-rope is pulled upwardly with asudden jerk, such as takes place when the trolley jumps the Wire, andmoves upwardly an abnormal distance, the actuating-pulley is turnedforward quickly by the rope in the direction of the arrow, Fig. 4. Thismovement is more rapid than that which takes place during the ordinaryoperation of the trolley and causes the coupling-pawl to be movedoutwardly by centrifugal force a suficient distance to engage its freeend or nose with the teeth of the ratchet-wheel. When this occurs, theactuating-pulley is coupled with the rotary plug of the valve and causesthe latter to be turned from the venting position (shown in full lines,Fig. 4) to the pressure position, (shown by dotted lines in the same1igure,) thereby admitting compressed air into the cylinder and forcingthe piston downwardly for lowering the trolley. When the trolley hasbeen depressed its full extent and the pressure of the actuating-pulleyupon the pawl relaxes, the latter is automatically disengaged from theratchet-wheel by its spring.

In order to relievev the pivot of the coupling-pawl from. the strain andwear which otherwise would occur when the same engages with theratchet-wheel, means are provided for relieving the same. The preferredmeans for this purpose consist of a supporting or relieving stud p,arranged on the actuatingpulley and engaging with 'a shoulder p',

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formed on the pawl near its front end. This shoulder isconstantly inengagement with the supporting-lug in all positions of thecoupling-pawl, thereby resisting the shock or blow which the pawlreceives upon engaging the ratchet-Wheel and relieving the pivotthereof.

After the trolley has been depressed the valve is turned by theconductor or attendant in the direction for cutting off the pressuremedium and connecting the cylinder with the atmosphere in order torelease the trolley-rope and permit the trolley to be reengaged with theoverhead conducting-wire.

This restoration of the valve is Apreferably eected by means of avertically-movable handle o r slide Q, which moves in a guide q in thetop of the casing and is provided at its lower end with a horizontalslot q', which receives a crank-pin q2, formed on an arm projectinglaterally from the ratchet-wheel. This slide is raised during theforward turning movement of the valve-plug from the position shown infull lines in Figs. l and-3 to the position shown. in dotted lines, Fig.l. For the purpose of restoring the valve to its normal position it isonly necessary to push the sliding handle downwardly. The valve ispreferably so constructed that a reversal of the same is effected byturning .its plug one-quarter of a rotation, and means are provided forarresting its rotation at either end of this movement. this purposeconsist of a stop or shoulder fr, formed on the lower part of thesliding handie and adapted to engage with the under side of the guide q,and a flange r', arranged at the upper end of the slide and adapted toengage With the upper end of this guide.

For the purpose of enabling the restoration of the trolley and the valveto be eected conveniently and quickly the upper part of the slidinghandle is preferably made `hollow or of tubularv form, as. shown at g3,Fig. 3, and that part of the trolley-rope above the actuating-Wheelpasses through the hollow handle. Preparatory to restoring the trolleythe conductor places his hand upon the rope immediately above therestoring-handle and pushes the latter downwardly, so as to release therope fromv the Adepressing mechanism. When this has been done, theconductor While the rope is still in his hand restores the trolley uponthe conducting-Wire. Instead of multiplying the pull upon thetrolley-rope a number of times by the mechanism shown in Figs. l, 2, and3 the necessary eXtent of pull upon the rope can be produced byemploying but a single multiplying wheel or pulley s on the lower end ofthe plunger, as shown in Fig. 7. In this case the extent of movement ofthe plunger must be correspondingly greater in order to obtain therequired depression of the trolley-pole. In Fig. 8 is shown aconstruction in which the slack of the rope is Wound up and un.- Woundfrom a drum T, which is journaled The preferred means for in the lowerpart of the casing, instead of employing` multiplying-pulleys. This drumis turned by means of a gear-rack t, secured to the plunger and meshingwith a pinion t', which is connected with the drum.

My improved trolley-catcher contains no delicate -parts which are easilyinjured or liable to get out of order, and the construction as a wholeis light and compact, permitting the same to be readily shifted from oneend of the car to the other upon reversing the movement of the same.

I claim as my invention- 1. A trolley-catcher comprising areciproeatingV takeup device operating upon the trolley-rope formaintaining a tension on the same during the normal operation of thetrolley, a depressing device operating upon said take-up device fordepressing the trolley, and

a trip device engaged by the trolley-rope and l controlling thedepressing device, substantially as set forth.

2. A trolley-catcher comprising a verticallymovable take-up weightoperating upon the trolley-rope for maintaining a tension on'the saine4during the normal operation of the trolley, a depressing deviceoperating upon said take-up weight for depressing the trolley, and atrip device engaged by the trolley-rope and controlling the depressingdevice, substantially as set forth.

3.v Atrolley-catcher comprisinga verticallymovable take-np plunger, apulley mounted on the plunger and engaging with the trolleyrope, adepressing device operating to depress said plunger, and a trip deviceengaged by the trolley-rope and controlling said depressing device,substantially as set forth.

4. A trolley-catcher com prising a verticallymovable take-up plunger, aplurality of takeup pulleys mounted on the lower` end of said plunger,stationary guide-pulleys arranged above the ltake-up pulleys, atrolley-rope passing around the take-up and guide pulleys, a depressingdevice fordepressing the take-up plunger, and a trip device engaged bythe trolley-rope and controlling the depressing device, substantially asset forth.

5. A trolley-catcher comprising a cylinder, atake-up plunger operatingupon the trolleyrope, a piston for depressing the trolley operating onsaid plunger and arranged in said cylinder, and means controlling apressure medium which operates said piston, substantially as set forth.

6. Atrolley-catcher comprising a cylinder, a take-up plunger operatingupon the trolleyrope, a piston for depressing the trolley operating onsaid plunger and'arranged in said cylinder, and means operated upon bythe trolley-rope for controlling `the admission of a pressure mediuminto said cylinder, substantially as set forth.

y 7. A trolley-catcher comprising a cylinder, a take-up plungeroperating upon the trolleyrope, a piston for depressing the trolleyoperating onsaid plunger and arranged in said cylinder, means for supplying apressure medium which operates to move the piston downwardly, and aspring for raising the piston, substantially as set forth.

8. A trolley-catcher comprising a verticallymovable take-up plunger, apulley mounted on the lower end of the plunger and engaging with thetrolley-rope, a depressing-piston provided with a tubular rod whichreceives the plunger, a cylinder in Which said piston reciprocates,means for supplying a pressure medium into the cylinder for depressingthe piston, and a spring arranged in the cylinder and operating to raisethe piston, substantially as set forth.

9. A trolley-catcher comprising a cylinder, a piston operating todepress the trolley and arranged in said cylinder, means for supply-.ing a pressure medium to the cylinder for operating said piston, and atrip device engaged by the trolley-rope and controlling saidpressure-supplying means, substantially as set forth.

10. Atrolley-catchercomprisingacylinder, a pistou arranged in saidcylinder and operating to pull down a trolley-rope, a valve operating toconnect said cylinder with the atmosphere or with a pressure-supply, anda trip device operated upon by said trolley-rope and controlling saidvalve, substantially as Set forth.

ll. Atrolley-catchercomprisingacylinder, a piston arranged in saidcylinder and operating to pull down a trolley-rope, a valve operating toconnect said cylinder with the atmosphere or With a pressure-supply, anda centrifugal trip device operated upon by the trolley rope and adaptedto transmit the movement of said rope to said valve, substantially asset forth.

l2. A trolley-catcher comprising a cylinder, a piston arranged in saidcylinder and operated to pull down a trolley-rope, a valve operating toconnect said cylinder with the atmosphere or With a pressure-supply,aratchet- Wheel connected With said valve, an actuating-Wheel engaged bythe trolley-rope, and a pawl mounted on the actuating-Wheel and adaptedto engage With the ratchet-Wheel, substantially as set forth.

13. Atrolley-catchercomprisingacyliuder, a piston arranged in saidcylinder and operating to pull down a trolley-rope, a valve operating toconnect said cylinder with the atmosphere or with a pressure-supply, aratchetwheel connected with said valve, an actuating-Wheel engaged bythe trolley-rope, a centrifugal paWl mounted on the actuating-Wheel andadapted to engage With said ratchet- Wheel, and a spring which normallyholds said paWl out of engagement from the ratchetwheel, substantiallyas set forth.

14. A trolley-catcher comprising a cylinder, a piston arranged in saidcylinder and operating to pull down atrolley-rope, a valve operating toconnect said cylinder with the atkmasso mosphere or with apressure-supply, a ratchet- Wheel connected With said valve and providedwith internal teeth, an actuating-Wheel arranged onl one side of theratchet-Wheel and engaged by the trolley-rope, a centrifugal pawlpivoted on the actuating-Wheel and adapted to engage With the teeth ofthe ratchet-Wheel, and a spring operating to retract said pawl from saidratchet-Wheel, substantially as set forth.

15. A trolley-catcher comprising a cylinder, a piston arranged in saidcylinderand operating to pull down a trolley-rope, a valve operating toconnect said cylinder with the atmosphere or with a pressure-supply, aratchet- Wheel connected With said valve, an actuating-Wheel engaged bythe trolley-rope, a pawl mounted on the actuating-Wheel and adapted toengage with the ratchet-Wheel, and a supporting lug or shoulder arrangedon the actuating- Wheel and engaged by a corresponding shoulder on thepaWl, substantially as set forth.

16. A trolley-catcher comprising a cylinder, a piston arranged in saidcylinder and operating to pull down a trolley-rope, a valve operating toconnect said cylinder with the atmosphere or With a pressure-supply, atrip device operated upon by the trolley-rope and controlling saidvalve, and a restoring device connected with the trip device,substantially as set forth.

17. A trolley-catcher comprising a cylinder, a piston arranged in saidcylinder and operating to pull down a trolley-rope, a valve operating toconnect said cylinder with the atmosphere or with a pressure-supply, atrip device operated upon by the trolley-rope and controlling saidvalve, and a restoring-handle arranged adjacent to the trolley-rope andconnected with said trip device,substantially as set forth.

18. A trolley-.catcher comprisingaeylinder, a piston arranged in saidcylinder and operating to pulldown a trolley-rope, a valve operating toconnect said cylinder with the atmosphere or With a pressure-supply, atrip device operated upon by the trolley-rope and controlling saidvalve, and a tubular restoring-handle which receives said rope and isconnected with the trip device, substantially as set forth.

19. Atrolley-catcher comprising a cylinder, a piston arranged in saidcylinder and operating to pull down a trolley-rope, a valve operating toconnect said cylinder With the atmosphere or with a pressu re-su pply, aratchetwheel connected with said valve, an actuating-wheel engaged bythe trolley-rope, a pawl` mounted on the actuating- Wheel and adapted toengage With the ratchet-Wheel, and a tubular restoring-handle whichreceives the trolley-rope and is con nected With said actuating-wheel,substantially as set forth.

20. Atrolley-catcher comprising acylinder, a piston arranged in saidcylinder and oper- IOO IIO

ating to pulldown a trolley-rope, a valve opera crank-pin on theratchet-wheel, and a guide Io ating `to connect said cylinder with theatforsaid handle, substantially as set forth. mosphere or with apressur'ersuppl'y, aratcbetf Witness my hand this 5th day of August, vWheel connected with seid valve, en aetuat- 1903.

ing-wheel envaged by the troleyl-ro'pe, a pawl mounted on ftheactuating-wheel an'dadapt- HORACE R' MARTIN' ed to engage with theratchet-Wheel, a tubni Witnesses:

lar restoring-handle receiving the'troliey- THEO. L. POPP,

rope and provided with a, siot which receives EMMA M. GRAHAM.

